Презентация на тему: The fall of a genuine dream in the American society of 1920s
The fall of a genuine dream in the American society of 1920s prepared by Kucherova Ekaterina, 9 form Center of Education № 825 teacher: Kudryavtseva E. A. PROJECT WORK
Introduction Everybody has its own dream. One who has an irresistible and honest desire to fulfill or obtain something is worth being respected. Having a dream is only one side of a coin. The reverse of it is how to realize it. Do all means suit in this case? Can a genuine dream come true in the society of low morality? The best way to solve this intricate issue is to find an appropriate sample in history and culture. An outstanding writer Francis Scott Fitzgerald created what afterwards became an immortal masterpiece «The Great Gatsby».
The aim of the research: to determine whether it is possible to realize a genuine dream in the American society of 1920s on the basis of the novel «The Great Gatsby». The objectives of the research: to give a brief historical review of the American society of 1920s;to consider the main character traits of the novel from the moral point of view;to depict the title and the original cover of the book «The Great Gatsby»;to describe the major symbols and stylistic devices in the novel that reflect the contradictoriness of human feelings in the novel;to reveal the impossibility of Gatsby’s dream in the American society of 1920s;to show the meaning of Gatsby’s end of the dream and draw a conclusion.
A brief historical review of the American society of 1920s «Roaring Twenties» are characterized by radical modernization and a break with traditional values. Illegal «hooch» gave organized crime a «shot in the arm». Meanwhile the country in 1920s was full of jazz-bands, black musicians played in night bars, casinos. The spirit, excitement and violence of the era Fitzgerald named «the Jazz Age». The tragedy of this period of time is depicted in the novel «The Great Gatsby», where luxury and festivity go hand in hand with elusive future, low morality and despair.
Gatsby’s genuine and unattainable dream A young, mysterious millionaire, later revealed to be a bootlegger, Jay Gatsby spent his life acquiring wealth in hope for returning the past — the love of his lost sweet heart. He obtained a great mansion, a gorgeous car and outfits, held pompous parties to draw her attention. His attempt to accomplish his dream with cars and shirts could not have been successful. Money is not the major factor towards happiness in this world.
The cover of the book The original cover of the book created by Francis Cugat is among the most celebrated pieces of jacket art. There is a figure of woman’s face, which is placed above the amusement park. It has no nose but it has beautiful lips and glassy eyes from which flows a tear. The face may belong to Daisy as her inner world is constantly struggling against her principles and outer circumstances . The cover presented by Tamara de Lempicka depicts a woman with golden hair and scarlet lips wearing a green dress, white gloves and a hat. This young lady seems to be Daisy. Golden color of her hair may refer to the luxurious life; the green one reflects Gatsby’s unattainable dream and hope. Daisy shelters her face with a snowy hat as if showing its former pure inner world.
Major symbols and colors The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg The Valley of Ashes Heat and rain Daisy’s voice The embodiment of God’s judgment of the American society as a moral wasteland The moral and social decay, the state of the poor Controversy states of people’s emotions: tensions vs. sadness and relief Moneyed society to which Daisy belongs hope, cheerful future lifelessness and barrenness romantic sides of Gatsby’s dream purity, hope and faith in the cheerful future
The incorruptible dream can’t come true in the society with wrong vision and moral settings. In this novel we can see that Gatsby is a hostage of the society in which he lives. To be faithful to your dream and die for it is much better then dissolve oneself in the society of low morality. Francis Scott Fitzgerald liked Gatsby as he couldn’t «go with the stream». «Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter — tomorrow we will run farther, stretch out our arms farther….». Toby Stephens(«The Great Gatsby», 2000)
